Hand-held drain valve operating receptacle



Aug. 3, 1965 R. H. POORMAN HAND-HELD DRAIN VALVE OPERATING RECEPTACLEOriginal Filed June 30, 1959 \s\ Fl/ 2 v JNVENTOR. RqyalHPoorman BY 9 M,W8: m

5T0 EYS United States Patent "ice 3,l98,li16 HAND-HELD DRAIN VALVEOPERATING REQEPTACLE Royal H. Poor-man, 909 12th St. NW., Canton, OhioContinuation of application Ser. No. 823,964, lune 3t 1959. Thisapplication Mar. 8, i962, Ser. No. 180,921

1 Claim. (U. '73421) My invention relates generally to a valveconstruction preferably for use in sampling fuel in or flushing fuelfrom fuel tanks, and to a unique and convenient method for accomplishingthe sampling or flushing operations. More specifically, my inventionrelates to a particular form of valve construction, preferably for fueltanks, usable in combination with a particular form of receptacle foreasily and conveniently obtaining inspection samples of the fuel at thebottom portion of the fuel tank, or for flushing foreign materials, suchas water and sediment, from the bottom portion of the tank. Further,this application is a continuation of my co-pending application,

Serial No. 823,964, filed June 30, 1959, now abandoned.

It is common knowledge that it is impossible to maintain fuel for use invarious forms of engines from becoming contaminated by foreign matteraccidentally entering the fuel tank, and this foreign matter may takethe form of dirt and water. It is, of course, impossible to keep certainamounts of water out of the fuel even though the fuel is maintainedfinely strained at all times, since changing temperature conditions willcause condensation of water from the air contained in partially filledfuel tanks so that this slight water condition is always present.

This problem becomes particularly serious in aircraft in view of thefact that sediment and water can cause malfunction of an engine andpossibly result in serious accidents. Also, certain of these sameproblems are created in the engines of various forms of land vehicles,such as automobiles and the like, but, of course, in this case theconsequences are not quite so serious.

In view of the seriousness of the problem in aircraft, it has beencommon practice for some time to inspect the fuel in the tanks or fuelcells of aircraft by removal of the common drain plug provided in thelower portion of such tanks or cells. Since the fuel tanks of theaircraft are normally in the Wings thereof, this results in thenecessity of removing the drain plug of the tank and having the fuelspray over various portions of the craft as well as the personconducting the fuel inspection.

In an attempt to rectify this problem, certain of the common drain plugsin the fuel tanks have been removed and replaced by a form ofspring-loaded valve with which, by pressing upwardly on certainprotruding portions of the valve, it is possible to release only smallquantities of the fuel. Even this procedure, however, is objectionable,since the quantity of the fuel release-d can still spray over portionsof the aircraft and the person conducting I the inspection, particularlywhere wind conditions are 3 l 98$ 1 6 Patented Aug. 3, 1965 fering withthe doors of the aircraft, and this also presents the danger of someonestriking the valves and accidentally releasing or damaging the same.

It is, therefore, a general object of the present invention to provide avalve construction and method for operating the same which eliminatesthe foregoing problems and solves the stated difficulties.

It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a valveconstruction which is relatively simple, yet is efiicient and positivein use and, therefore, may be used in fuel tank where highly volatileliquids are involved.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a valveconstruction for use in fuel tanks in which the major portion of thevalve is telescoped inwardly into the lower portion of the tank so thata no greater portion projects from the tank than has been previouslyprovided by common fuel tank drain plugs.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a valveconstruction which is formed in a unique manner for convenient assemblyand, therefore, may be provided at a minimum of cost.

It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a valveconstruction particularly formed for use in combination with aparticular form of fuel receptacle, so that the fuel removed from thetank through the valve construction i received in the receptacle andcannot spray into unwanted areas.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a valveconstruction in combination with a particular form of valve releasingreceptacle whereby the valve cannot be accidentally released and can bereleased only by a predetermined use of the receptacle.

Finally, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method ofsampling fuel in or flushing fuel from fuel tanks by use of a uniqueform [of valve and fuel receptacle, whereby the sampling or flushing iperfectly controlled and the fuel received may be conveniently visua lyinspected.

These and other objects are accomplished by the parts, constructions,arrangements, combinations, sub-combinations and methods comprising thepresent invention, the nature of which is set forth in the followinggeneral statement, preferred embodiments and forms of whichillustrativeof the best mode in which applicant has contemplated applying theprinciplesare set forth in the following description and illustrated inthe accompanying drawings, and which are particularly and distinctlypointed out and set forth in the appended claim forming a part hereof.

In general terms the valve construction comprising the present inventionmay be stated as including a tubular valve body having an opening formedlongitudinally or vertically therethrough, with fastening means formedon the valve body for securing the valve body preferably extendinggenerally vertically through and into the lower portion of a fuel tank.The valve body is also provided with drain means longitudinally inwardlyor vertically upwardly of the fastening means and communicating betweenthe body opening and the inner confines of the fuel tank.

Further, the valve construction includes a valve stem telescoped withinthe valve body and having a lower portion with sealing means formedthereon normally retained engaged with an annular valve seat in the bodyopening longitudinally outwardly or vertically downwardly of the drainmeans,thereby normally sealing the communication 1 of the drain meansfrom the fuel tank through the body longitudinal inward or verticalupward movement of the,

valve stem for opening the communication of the drain means from thefuel tank through and longitudinally outward or vertically downward ofthe body opening.

A retaining washer is preferably mounted reciprocally receiving theinner end of the valve stem and telescoped withinthe inner end ofthevalve body, with this retaining washer abutting the inner orvertically upward end of the spring means and maintaining the springmeans compressed for urging the valve stem longitudinally outwardlyvertically downwardly into sealing position. This retaining washer alsoacts as a guide for the reciprocal move:

ment' of the valve stem during the operation of the valve construction.a

The present'invention further includes the combination of the foregoingvalve construction with a fuel receptacle in the form of a generallytubular receptacle closed at one end and open at the other end, andhaving a valve'release member mounted therein and projecting from theopen end thereof. This valve release member is of a smallercross-sectional size than the longitudinal outward or vertical downwardportion of the valve body opening and may be'received within the bodyopening whereby longitudinal inward or vertical upward pressure oftherelease-member will urge the valve stem to a position opening thecombination from the fuel tank through the drain means into andlongitudinally outwardly or vertically downwardly through the bodyopening and if;

finally intothe receptacle.

The present invention further includes the method for sampling fuel in afuel tank including the steps of providing adrain valve in a lowerportion of the fuel tank which is normally resiliently urged to a closedposition 'retainingthe fuelwithin-the fuel tank. The method alsoincludes the step of providing an'engagement P01121011 'on -the valvewhich may be engaged for moving parts of the valve to an open positionpermitting fuel to drain from the tank downwardly through the valve.

Still further, the method includes the step of providing a fuel.receptacle having a release member formed thereon. Finally, the methodincludes the step of engaging the fuel receptacle release member withthevalve engagement portion for moving the valve to open posi- 50 tionand receiving fuel from the fuel tank throughthe valve into thereceptacle. By way of example,.embodiments of the valve construction,including the fuel receptacle and method of the present invention areillustrated in the accompanying 55 drawings forming a part hereof,wherein like numerals indicate similar parts throughoutthe several viewsand in which: 1

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the valve construction showing the variousparts thereof in elevation;

FIG. 2, a vertical sectional view, part in elevation,

' looking inthe direction of the arrows 22 in FIG. 3,

showing the valve construction in assembled and in closed FIG. 4, avertical sectional View, part infelevation',

showingthe fuel receptacle engaged with the valve constructionof FIGS.1, 2 and 3 with the valve construction in open position. I

The preferred embodiment of the valveconstruction comprising the presentinvention is shownin the drawings in a form for use preferablyon'aircraft fuel tanks or cells 1 common tools.

'30 against theouter or lower portion of the valve stem, E

and is preferred to bemounted in a vertically extending position. Itshould be understood, however, that the valve construction of thepresent invention may be advantageously used on many other types of fueltanks 5 whether for aircraft, land vehicles, or otherwise, and alsocould be mounted in other positions depending on the particularconditions present, all of which are contemplated within the scope ofthe present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the valve construction includes a tubularvalve body generally indicated at 10 having a lower tool portion 11, apreferably threaded fastening portion 12, and a cylindrical portion 13,terminating upwardly in a securing portion 14. The entire valveconstruction may be formed of usual materials, preferably either of .anon-corrosive basic metal or plated for deterring corrosion when incontact with the usual fuels contained in fuel tanks or cells.

The tool portion 11 'of the valve body 10 forms the lower end of thevalve body and is preferably formed of a usual hexagonal nut-like shapefor engagement by Further, the tool portion 11 may be formed with one ormore openings 15 preferably horizontally through outer portions thereoffor a purpose to be hereinafter described. Finally, the tool portion 11is provided with a central opening generally vertically j therethoughforminga part of;a main opening 16 extending completely verticallythrough the tool portion 11, fastening portion 12, cylindrical portion13 and, prior to assembly, the securing portion 14.

Spaced horizontally inwardly from the outer extremities of the toolportion 11, the fastening portion 12 is preferably formed integrallywith this tool portion and extends vertically upwardly therefrom, againcontinuing ,the main opening 16 vertically upwardly. This fasteningportion 12 is preferably provided with the outer usual threads 17 whichextend substantially the entirevertical height of fastening portion 12.

A tubular cylindrical portion 13 is formed integral with the fasteningportion 12 and extends vertically 4, upwardly therefrom also continuing.the main opening I 16 upwardly. Formed at the point of joinder betweenthe fastening portion 12 and tubular cylindrical portion 13 are a seriesof circumferentially spaced drain means inthe form of drain openings 18,formed generally horizontally preferably through a portion of the upperex- 5 tremities of fastening portion 12 and a portion of the lowerextremities of the cylindricalportion 13.

Still'further, these drain-openings 18 may be slightly downwardly angledas they extend radially inwardly, as 'best seen in FIGS. 2 and 4, andpreferably consist of four in number being equally circumferentiallyspaced.

Finally, these drain openings form a communication from outwardly of thefastening and cylindrical portions 12 and 13 into the main'opening 16,again for a purpose to be hereinafter described;

The cylindrical portion 13 terminates vertically upnwardly in thesecuring portion 14 which, prior to assembly'of the valve construction,is formed by preferably a pair of diametrically opposed slots 19 whichare formed in the upper part of the cylindrical portion 13, with the 0p6 posing ends of these slotsbeing circumferentially spaced.

This thereby forms a pair of diametrically opposed securing strips 20 atthe top part of the cylindrical portion 13 which strips extendvertically between slots 19, being formed thereby, and the extreme upperend of the cylindrical portion 13.. Again, the purpose of these securingstrips 20 will be hereinafter explained. I V

' Asis'clearly shown in FIG. 2, the main opening 16 vertically throughthe valve body 10 is provided of a .uniform large-diameter portion 21vertically downwardly through the entire cylindrical portion 13including the securing portion 14, that is, prior to the assembly of the'valve construction, with large-diameter portion also extendingvertically downwardly partially vertically through the'fastening'portion 12 to a location'spaced downwardly from the drainopenings 18. At this point, the main opening 16 preferably anglesslightly vertically downwardly and inwardly, thereby forming thedownwardly angled annular valve seat 22. Finally, the main opening 16extends from the valve seat 22 vertically downwardly through theremainder of the fastened portion 12 and completely through the toolportion 11 in a small-diameter portion 23.

A preferably generally cylindrical valve stem is generally indicated at24 and is best shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4. Valve stem 24 is preferably ofuniform cylindrical configuration from its upper end verticallydownwardly for a major portion of its vertical length, forming the mainstem portion 25.

This main stem portion 25 terminates near the lower end of the valvestem 24 in a radially outwardly-extending generally cylindrical guidecollar 26, formed preferably integral with stem portion 25. The mainstem portion 25 is provided with an outer diameter, a measured amountless than the inner diameter of the large-diameter portion 21 in themain opening 16, with the collar 2'6 having a diameter only slightlyless than large-diameter portion 21 for a sliding fit therein.

Downwardly of the collar 26 the valve stem 24 is formed with an annularsealing ring slot 27 of a diameter preferably slightly less than thediameter of the main stem portion 25 and for receiving the resilientmaterial annular O-ring 28.

Finally, the valve stem 24 terminates vertically downwardly of thesealing ring slot 27 in a cylindrical auxiliary guide portion 29. Theguide portion 29 has an outer diameter sufficiently larger than thediameter of the sealing ring slot 27 for retaining the O-ring 23 betweenthis guide portion and the collar 26, and also the diameter of thistherein.

The lower end surface of the valve stem 24 may also be provided with agenerally vertically-extending and downwardly-opening conical recess 30as shown in broken lines in FIG. 2 and full lines in FIG. 4. The purposeof the recess 30 will likewise be hereinafter explained.

Completing the parts of the valve construction, there is also included acompression spring 31 as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, which spring isgenerally cylindrical in over-all confi uration, having an internaldiameter slightly greater than the outer diameter of the main stemportion 25 of valve stem 24 and having an outer diameter slightly lessthan the inner diameter or" the cylindrical portion 13 on valve body119. Furthermore, the valve construction includes a retaining and guidewasher 32 having an internal diameter slightly larger than the main stemportion 25 on valve stem 24 and an external diameter slightly less thanthe internal diameter of the cylindrical portion 13 of valve body 16),so that this washer may be received over the main stem portion 25 with aslide fit and also may be received in the cylindrical portion 13 with aslide fit.

In assembling the valve construction, the O-ring 2-3 is received in thesealing ring slot 27 of valve stem 24 and projects radially outwardly,preferably to a lesser diameter than the outer diameter of the guidecollar 26 of valve stem 24, but must project radially outwardly to agreater diameter than the guide portion 29. The valve stem 24 is thenreceived downwardly within the cylindrical portion 13 of the valve body111 with the guide portion 29 of valve stem 24 ultimately being receivedat the upper end of the small-diameter portion 23 of main opening 16 inthe valve body 1%.

In this position of the valve stem 24 within the valve body 11 theO-ring 28 is seated on the valve seat 22 of the I valve body 10, withthe guide portion 2% below the valve 4 seat, the guide collar 26extending from slightly below the lower edges of drain openings 18upwardly intermediate g these openings, and with the main stem portion25 extending upwardly within the cylindrical portion 13 and slightlyabove the upper end of valve body 10.

Next, the compression spring 31 is positioned over the main stem portion25 of valve stem 24 abutting the guide collar 25 and extending upwardlyWithin the valve body cylindrical portion 13. The retaining and guidewasher 32 is then likewise telescoped over the main stem portion 25 ofvalve stem 24 compressing the spring 31 downwardly until washer 32 isradially aligned with the slots 19 of valve body 11 and is just belowthe securing strips 21) of this securing portion 14.

At this time, while the retaining and guide washer 32 is maintained inthe foregoing position, the securing strips 2d are crimped radiallyinwardly to the main stem portion 25 of valve stem 24, as best seen inFIGS. 2 and 3. After this crimping operation the main stem portion 25 ofvalve stem 24 will have at least a sliding fit with the securing strips2%, but the securing strips will overlie portions of the retaining andguide washe 32, thereby maintaining the valve stem 24, compressionspring 31, and retaining and guide washer 32 properly assembled withinthe valve body 19.

Thus, when the valve construction is assembled, unless an outside forceis exerted on the valve stem 24, the compression spring 31 willresiliently maintain the O-ring 28 sealed against the valve seat 22 invalve body 10, thereby maintaining a seal between valve stem 24 andvalve body 1%) sealing off the main opening 16 of valve body 10 belowthe drain openings 18. Furthermore, by exerting a vertically upwardforce on the extreme lower end of the valve stem 24, which lower end isaccessible through the lower portion of the main opening 16 in valvebody 10, the valve stem may be moved vertically upwardly within valvebody 111 until the O-ring 2$ is at least above the lower edges of thedrain openings 18, and the guide portion 29 of valve stem 24 is removedvertically upwardly from the small-diameter portion 23 of main opening16 in valve body 1d. This thereby provides a communication from outwardof the valve body cylindrical portion 13 through the drain openings 18,downwardly through the main opening 16 and outwardly below the valvebody fastening portion 12.

During this upward movement of the valve stem 24,

,. the compression spring 31 is, of course, being compressed between theguide collar 2d of the valve stem and the retaining and guide washer 32secured below the securing strips 2% of valve body 10, and thus releaseof the valve stem will cause the compression spring to quickly againurge the valve stem to its original sealing position in which the O-ring28 is sealing against the valve seat 22 of the valve body. Furthermore,the compressing spring 31 is provided with a normally extended lengthsufiicient that when this spring is assembled within the valveconstruction it is at least slightly compressed between the valve stemguide collar 26 and the retaining and guide washer 32, so that even whenthe valve stem 24 is in its sealing position, as shown in FIG. 2, thisvalve stem is resiliently urged downwardly causing the O-ring 28 totightly seal against the valve seat 22 and form a liquid-tight sealbetween the valve stem and valve body sealing off the main opening 16downwardly through the valve body.

It should be noted that during the vertical movement of the valve stem2e withinthe valve body 19, the valve stem is guided by the guide collar26 near the lower end of the valve stem and by the retaining and guidewasher 32 near the upper end of the valve stem, with guide collar 26sliding within the cylindrical portion 13 of the valve body and the mainstem portion 25 of the valve stem sliding Within the retaining and guidewasher. Also, when the valve stem 24 is in its sealing position, asshown in FIG. 2, the guide collar 26 extends slightly below the loweredges of the drain openings 18 in the valve body 10 to thereby relievecertain of the fluid pressure through the drain openings into the valvebody main opening 16, and

against the valve seat 22. r

Still further, as the valve stem 24 returns from its open position backto seal-ing position, the final sealing position being shown in FIG. 2,the auxiliary guide' portion Thus, with the valve construction of thepresent invention installed in a fuel tank 33 as shown in FIG. 4 andhereinbefore described, the valve construction will nor- 29 of the valvestem first enters the small-diameter portion 23 of main opening 16 invalve body 16 while the O-ring 23 is still spaced above the valve seat22 of the valve body, so that this auxiliary guide portion 29 with itsslide fit in this small-diameter portion 23 aids in finally properlyguiding the O-ring 28 into its proper sealing relationship with thevalveseat 22.

Finally, it should be noted that even when the valve stem 24 is insealing position, .as shown in FIG. 2, the lower end of this valve stemdoes not project below the lower end of the valve body 10, and althoughit would be satisfactory when this valve stem is in sealing position tohave the lower end of the valve stem even with the lower end of thevalve body, it is preferred, in order to conserve material and provide agreater opening, to recess the valve stem a distance above the lower endof the valve body. In order to provide for convenienttand properengagement with the valve stem 24 it is, however, preferred to form arecess such as the conical recess 30 in the lower end of valve stem 24,so that a tool may be engaged in this recess upwardly through thesmall-diameter portion 23 of the main opening 16 in'valve body formoving the valve stem to its open position. i

As shown in FIG. 4, the valve construction isinstalled in a fuel tank orcell 33 ofthe type used in aircraft. In this position, the fasteningportion 12 is thr'eadably received in the tank drain opening 34 with thedrain openings 18 in valve body 10 opening into the inner confines offuel tank 33.

Furthermore, the skin portion of the air-craft wing is shown at 35 andthe securing portion 14 of valve body 10 projects therebelow with asealing washer 36 being provided between the fastening portion 12 andthe drain opening 34. Finally, once the valve construction is installedin the fuel tank 33, a wire 37 may be received through one of theopenings 15 in the securing portion 14 V of valve ,body 10, with wire 37being connected to the skin 35 to retain the valve body against rotationonce installed. t Again, it should be noted that even when the valve ste24 is in sealing position, it does not project below the securingportion 14 of valve bodyvlo, but rather the only portion of the valveconstruction which projects below the skin 35 is securing portion 14.For this reason, when the valve construction ofthe present invention isinstalled in a fuel tank 33, the major portion thereof extend-s withinthe fuel tank and the securing portion 14, which is the only portionthereof which projects outwardly, of the fuel tank, is equivalent insize and projection to the common drain plug normally found in such fueltanks.

In order to provide for convenient draining, sampling and inspection ofthe fuel in the fuel tank 33 having the valve construction hereinbeforedescribed, the construction of the present invention includes areceptacle 38 having the usual open upper end 39 and the preferablycentrally-located and vertically-extending valve release member 40. Withthe lower end of the valve stem 24 in the preferably resistant to thefuels which may be drained therein, and preferably at least translucentif not transparent so that the fuel drained therein may be properlyinspected; The release member 43 may be of any rigid material and forconvenience may be arnetal rod.

'rnally be retained in a sealed condition. When sealing,

the valve stem 24 with the O-ring28'resiliently held against the valveseat 22 of valve body 10 seals off the communication from within thefuel tank through the drain openings18 and downwardly through the valvebody 10.

When, however, it is desired to obtain a fuel sample, the valve releasemember 40 of receptacle 38 may be inserted within the small-diameterportion 23 of main opening 16 in valve body 10, as shown in FIG. 4, andthe extreme upper end of this valve release member may be received inthe conical recess 30 at the lower end of the valve stem 24. By exertingupward pressure on the receptacle 38, the release member 40' will movethe valve stem 24 upwardly against the resilient, downward urging of thecompression spring 31 to the position shown in FIG. 4, whereincommunication is provided from the inner confines of fuel tank 33,through drain openings 18, through the small-diameter portion 23 of themain opening 16 in valve body 10, and ultimately downwardly of thesecuring portion 14 of valve body 10.

Thus, fuel may flow from tank 33 through the valve construction anddownwardly into the receptacle 38, and when a sufiicient amount has beenreceived in the receptacle, it is merely necessary to move thereceptacle downwardly, disengaging the release member 40 from the valvestem 24, and the valve will again quickly close, assuming its sealingposition as shown in FIG. 2. Thereafter with the fuel in the receptacle38 it may be conventiently inspected for waterand other contamination.

In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity,clearness and understanding, but no unnecessary limitations areto beimplied therefrom, because are intended to be broadly construed. I

Moreover, the embodiments of the improved construction and methodsillustrated and described herein are by way of example, and the scope ofthe present invention is not limited to the exact details of theconstruction shown and methods described.

Having now described the invention, the construction, methods, operationand use of preferred embodiments thereof, and the advantageous, new anduseful results obtained thereby; the new and useful construction andreasonable mechanical equivalents thereof obvious to those skilled inthe art are set forth in the appended claim.

I claim:

A hand-held drain valve operating receptacle for actuating a drain valveof an aircraft fuel tank to directly 7 receive and visually inspect asample of fuel from said tank, the drain valve being of the type havinga body fastened extending upwardly into/the lower portion of an aircraftfuel tank, which body has recessed selectively releasable drain meansformed communicating between the interior of the fuel tank and openingdownwardly through the fuel tank, and which drain means normally isresiliently urged to closed position closing said communication and isselectively releasable opening said communication through engagement bya pin-like release member engageable with said drain means and urgedupwardly from closely below the fuel tank; the operating receptaclecomprising an upwardly opening clear plastic cup-shaped memher having atubular upstanding upwardly opening continuous side wall and a closedbottom wall connected to said side wall, a rigid pin-like release membermounted rigidly embedded substantially centrally in the cup-shapedmember bottom wall and extending upwardly within and spaced inwardlyfrom upper extremities of the cup-shaped member side wall andterminatingspaced above said side wall upper extremities, and thereceptacle being constructed of a size for being hand held; whereby, thereceptacle may be hand held and adapted to be placed beneath a valvedrain means with the rigid release member upwardly engaged with andreleasing a drain means, to

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 7/92 King 25l-1561/96 Newhall 251-156 1% Killmeyer 222215 Pool 251321 Buneta 141-351 XLipman 251-339 X Betts 222215 X Elias 222-215 X Kratz 73-421 Vogt222-215 X 10 ISADOR WEIL, Primary Examiner.

M. CARY NELSON, CLARENCE R. GORDON,

Examiners.

